CHAPTER VI

“The fellow has just answered your question
for you,” Dick went on, pointing an accusing
finger at the stranger. “You know what
language he was betrayed into using just now.”

“German, sir,” said Mock.

“That’s right,” nodded Prescott.

“Is he one of them Kaiser-hound spies, sir?”
demanded Mock, stung to wrath and throwing grammar
to the winds. “Why, I’ve dreamed
of catching one and tearing him to pieces. With
your permission, sir-----!”

Not stopping to finish Mock threw himself upon the
stoop-shouldered one, But that worthy had foreseen
it, and adroitly stopped the ex-sergeant with a blow
on the end of the nose that dazed him for an instant.

“I’ll take care of him, Mock!” cried
Captain Dick, leaping forward. As he did so the
stranger turned and fled. No longer stoop-shouldered,
but bearing himself like an athlete, the unknown turned
and darted away, Prescott racing after him.

“Get back!” warned the fugitive, drawing
an automatic revolver and flourishing it over his
head.

Though unarmed, save for his fists, Prescott continued
to pursue with all speed. After both of them
raced Private Mock.

Dick was gaining when he stepped on a round stone,
slipped and fell. Mock dashed after him.
The fleeing German halted long enough to hurl the
automatic pistol at Mock’s face, then turned
and ran on. Naturally the soldier dodged the
missile, which struck the ground behind him.
Thinking the weapon might be useful, Mock halted,
then ran back and secured the pistol, after which he
started to give chase. But the fugitive had
vanished in the darkness.

“Come back here and surrender, before I shoot,”
bluffed Mock, but the German did not answer.

To Mock’s intense astonishment Dick reached
over, snatching the pistol from his hand.

“That will be about all, Private Mock,”
said Prescott sternly. “You’ve bluffed
your part well, and helped your friend to escape,
but at all events I’ve got you!”

“Do you—–­” began the
soldier, but stopped, further words failing him.
Dick gripped the man’s arm, giving a significant
pressure before he said:

“You’ll come along with me, Mock, and
it will be worse for you if you try any further monkey-shines
with me.”